BPP Results

Each baby earned a 100% on the BPP. Doctor Robertson decided to do the test because of the size difference between Baby B and the two others. He wanted to be sure that each baby was healthy. They all passed with flying colors :)

Biophysical Profile

I got a call today from Dr. Robertson's office. I need to go back in for a Biophysical Profile on the babies. You can read more about the test at http://www.webmd.com/baby/biophysical-profile-bpp. (Be sure to check out the scoring system on page 3 of the link) It is a test to determine the overall health of each baby. They did not perform the test while I was in the hospital because the results are not accurate while on magnesium sulfate.
I will blog afterward and let you know the results. I am confident that my little overachievers will receive high marks, but please keep us in your prayers. My appointment is today at 2:30.

I am home! (30 weeks 2 days)

When the doctor came to make rounds this morning I got a wonderful surprise! She told me that I was going to be able to go home. The last few times they monitored me, I had not had any contractions. That coupled with the fact that they did not have me on IV medication any more, meant that insurance wanted to send me home. I was ecstatic.
Steve and I toured the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) before we left. It was very difficult to see the little tiny babies that needed so much medical intervention. It just made me more adamant to carry my three little ones for as long as possible.
They also did an ultrasound before they sent me home. The fluid levels around the babies had improved and they had all grown. Baby B (the boy) now weighs 3lbs 9oz. Baby C weighs 2lbs 13oz and Baby girl A weighs 2lbs 12oz. They are all very good sized for triplets (baby B is very big for a singleton).
I am so happy to be home!

30 weeks and 1 day

I was admitted on Wednesday May 13th, so I have officially been here for two full weeks now. My doctor took me completely off the magnesium sulfate (the IV medicine that I hate). Now I am down to only taking one medicine, by mouth. It is so nice not to have that IV pole to tote around. As long as I am not having any contractions, they will not have to start me on anything else.

Dr. Robertson said he will do another ultrasound this Friday. He said that he would measure the babies again that day. I can't wait to find out how much each one weighs now!

30 weeks tomorrow!

Here is a picture Grandpa Bledsoe took of Will in my hospital bed.

Will likes to cuddle in my bed when he comes to visit. I got up to use to use the bathroom, and when I came back this is how I found him.

29 weeks and 5 days

They did a scan yesterday morning. Steve stayed the night with me at the hospital and he was able to be here for the ultrasound. Will stayed with Nana and Grandpa. The docs said that the fluid the around babies was low, so they had to discontinue one of the contraction stopping medicines that can cause the fluid level to diminish. I was told that once that medicine was stopped the fluid levels will replenish themselves.
Baby B (the boy) is still the biggest. Baby girl C is now bigger than Baby girl A. Baby girl A is the smallest. They all looked very crowded, but happy. I only had one small contraction last night. The doctors were very pleased about my lack of contractions.
Will has had so much fun with his Nana and Grandpa. Nana let him dress himself yesterday. When he showed up at the hospital I couldn't help but laugh. He looked so silly. He wore a soccer shirt that was far too small and a pair of Nike workout style pants. I am just glad Nana convinced him to take off the shorts that he wanted to wear over the pants! Still he seemed very proud of his selection.
He makes me so happy every time he visits. He kisses my belly three times before he leaves and assures me he got each baby because, as he puts it, "they are all lined up." I don't know where he gets this stuff.
The nurses get a kick out of him too. He is always very inquiring about what they are doing. I have been so lucky to have the best nurses in world. They make my stay so much more bearable. They even took the time to make me a personalized, poster size, calendar that they hung on the wall across from my bed. I can't believe that there is a real possibility that Steve could be a father of four by the time father's day rolls around on the 21st!

Feeling Better

Okay, they have finally turned my "mag" (magnesium sulfate) to a low enough level that I feel like my old self again. That stuff is brutal!

I have been actually smiling, and enjoying doing some things, like emailing, doing the crossword puzzle from the paper, watching Chloe on the Doggie Daycare Camera, and chatting on the phone (even if I have to lay here on my side the whole time).

The docs said that I would have another ultrasound today, but they decided to wait until tomorrow morning. I haven't had any contractions in a couple days, which is excellent news. I am glad to know that the medicines are working.

I am also very happy that my parents and my brother are coming to visit for the long weekend!
I am 29 weeks and 3 days. I can't wait to make it to week 30. That just sounds so much further along than, 29.

29 Weeks!

I have made it another week! I am now 29 weeks and 1 day. The doctor has not given me a goal (as far as, how long to go) except to say that they want to hold off labor for as long as possible. They told me they would take me off the meds at 34 weeks if I had not delivered yet. I don't think that will be an issue.
I have survived a whole week of being in the hospital. Steve and Will are surviving, too. Will went to the girls state soccer game with Aunt Ruth, Uncle Seth, and cousins Nell and Luke. He had a wonderful time.
Steve came up to the hospital and ate dinner with me while Will was at the game. I am hanging in there!

Bigger Room

They moved me to a bigger room last night. I am now in room 902, so that makes my new phone number 402-354-3902.
Tomorrow I will be 29 weeks! They still have me on the magnesium sulfate. I was able to take a short break from my IV to take a shower this morning. It feels great to be clean! This is my 6th day in the hospital. I miss being at home, and being around my family.

Hospital

Well, I had to be admitted on Wednesday (May 13th). I was having too many contractions and there had been changes in my cervical length that indicated things were moving along too fast. The oral medication was not stopping labor. This was extremeley disappointing to me.
They started me on Magnesium Sulfate by IV which is some really nasty stuff. Although, it makes me feel horrible.......it has stopped the contractions. It looks like I will be in here until I deliver.
I miss Steve and Will terribly. I also miss my naps with Chloe. Fortunately for me, Steve and Will have been able to come and see me everyday. They have been bringing their dinner so that we can all eat together, which has been wonderful. Will has quickly become attached to the hospital Jello.
I am in room 908 at Methodist Hospital. They may move me to a different room after a bit (this one is quite small for someone who is looking at a six week stay) but for now, the number to my room is 402-354-3908. I have loved hearing from everyone, so feel free to call me. Thank you so much for your continued prayers, love, and support.

28 Weeks

Today at my appointment, the doctor said that I have started having frequent, regular contractions. They debated about whether to admit me or send me home to strict bed rest. In the end they chose the strict bedrest (which means laying on my side and occasional bathroom privileges) and an increase my medication . I have to go back to the office in 24 hours to see if the medicine is doing the trick. My next appointment is tomorrow at 2:00. I may be admitted then if the contractions have not subsided.
The good news is that the babies all still appear very healthy, happy, and active. Last week Baby C was breech and Baby B was head down. Now Baby C is head down and Baby B is breech. Who says they don't have room to move around in there?
Steve and Will are hanging in there too. I will try to update everyone as soon as I am done with my appointment tomorrow.

Middle of Week 27

I am still plugging along. I spent the whole day at school on Monday 5/4 (no students; it was a teacher workday) entering CRT scores (the district mandated tests) for my students. It was exhausting, but I loved seeing my friends at school.
Tuesday 5/5 I had my doctor's appointment. Still no signs that I need to be put on any IV meds to stop contractions. So I have dodged being hospitalized for at least another week.
This was an exciting appointment because they took measurements of the babies. The two girls are weighing in around 2 lbs 1 oz each. This puts them in the 25 percentile for singleton babies. The boy, my little piglet, weighs 2 lbs 8 oz! He is in the 78 percentile for a singleton baby (basically he would be considered big even if he were in there on his own, so for a triplet he is huge)!
It was also very exciting to see that the boy was practicing his breathing. You could see the rise and fall of his chest during the ultrasound. The ultrasound technician told us this was a very good sign. What a little overachiever :)
Both girls were very active and healthy. Once again they were not able to get pictures of the girls. They are movers and shakers, and do not hold still long enough to get clear images. I can't believe that they still weigh exactly the same size.
I am still hanging in there. I am increasingly tired, and moving much slower, but considering I am pregnant with triplets, I can't complain. Only seven more weeks to go!

I included a picture of Will in his bicycle helmet. He is really enjoying playing outside now that the weather is warmer. The other picture is a 27 week belly picture.